Frequently Asked Questions
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Habitat for Humanity is a movement of people in your local area and around the world, working together to build more prosperous and vibrant communities by making sure everyone has a safe, affordable place to call home. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Together, we build innovative housing solutions.
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Since our founding in 1976 we have helped more than 62 million people in countries around the world build their futures on their own terms through access to decent housing. We’ve done that by working alongside people of all walks of life to build, repair and finance their homes, by innovating new ways of building and financing, and by advocating for policies that make constructing and accessing housing easier for everyone.
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Families in need of decent, affordable housing apply for homeownership with their local Habitat for Humanity.
Each local Habitat’s family selection committee selects homeowners based on three criteria:
The applicant’s level of need.
Their willingness to partner with Habitat.
Their ability to repay a mortgage through an affordable payment plan.
Habitat’s homebuyers invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, called sweat equity, working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homeowners, in addition to paying an affordable mortgage and receiving financial education.
Habitat for Humanity follows a nondiscriminatory policy of family selection. Neither race nor religion is a factor in choosing Habitat’s homeowners.
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Habitat for Humanity works in a number of different ways to create decent, affordable housing.
In addition to new construction, Habitat also renovates existing homes in many communities, particularly in urban areas.
Habitat for Humanity helps people repair and improve their own homes and neighborhoods.
Habitat’s Disaster Response works with local communities to address a variety of housing needs after natural disasters.
Habitat’s advocacy work raises awareness and support for decent and affordable housing around the world.
Outside of North America, Habitat works with partner organizations to serve even more families through innovative financing methods.
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We have many volunteer opportunities:
Local volunteer opportunities
Travel and build
Volunteering long-term
Volunteering as part of a group
Volunteering as part of a special event
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Learn more about raising concerns and how to confidentially and anonymously report any issue or concern that may arise.
General FAQ
Applying for Critical Repairs
The full application process can take approximately 3 to 6 months.
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Your home must be a single-family, detached house. No mobile homes, townhomes, condos, or rental properties.
You must occupy the house and have been living there for at least three years.
Homeowners insurance is preferred.
Your home resides in Williamson, Maury, Hickman, or Lawrence County.
Property taxes and mortgage payments on your home must be current.
Income must fall between 20% and 80% of the HUD Median Income as noted in the Maximum Gross Monthly Income Chart found here.
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Pre-Application
All those interested in applying must first complete a pre-application. If all the criteria are met, applicant will be asked to fill out a larger application and provide needed documentation. HFHWM staff members can also come to applicant’s home to help complete the application if need be.
Background and Credit Checks (1-3 months after application is received)
We will perform background checks on all members of the household over the age of 16. We will also check to make sure that mortgage payments and taxes on the home are up to date.
Home Visits (2-4 months after application is received)
We will schedule initial home visits with households meeting the requirements. The Critical Home Repair Committee will review the applications, and you will be notified of the committee’s decisions by mail. During the process, home visits will be made during the repair, at completion, and at the three months after the repair.
Approval (1-2 months after your home visit)
Once you are approved, you will be contacted to sign your participation contract. At this point, you will begin completing your community service hours and paying your deposit, if applicable.
The full application process can take approximately 3 to 6 months.
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The cost will be determined based on the size and scope of repairs. All critical repair clients will be charged on a sliding scale of affordability. Habitat for Humanity Williamson-Maury pays at least 90% of the repair costs. If repair is less than $100, the charge will be waived.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for our program, applicants must meet our basic requirements.
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Completion of the Get Ready Program is required in order to apply for homeownership.
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Examples of need include living in a home that might not have proper plumbing or wiring, has structural problems, or is in bad shape. Conditions could be overcrowded, temporary, or unsafe. Paying more than 30% of your income on rent or needing a home that is accessible for someone with a disability also qualify.
Applicants with stronger needs might get higher priority, based on the decision of the homeowner services department. To apply, you should not have owned a home in the last 3 years or had a foreclosure in the last 4 years.
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Once chosen for the program, participants must complete sweat equity hours. This means taking homeowner education classes, getting budget coaching, volunteering at the ReStore, and helping build their own home and others in the program. Families with one person applying need to earn 200 hours, while families with two people applying need to earn 280 hours. Accommodations can be made for applicants with disabilities.
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Applicants must demonstrate the ability to afford the estimated monthly mortgage and household expenses.
Income: Habitat requires a consistent, stable income in the United States for 2 years at a minimum annual household income of $40,000 (subject to change with each application season).
This can include employment, social security, pension, disability income, worker’s compensation, alimony, and reliable child support. We consider the income of all adults (18 or older) in the household. Applicants must verify their employment history and provide documentation of the past 2 years of annual household income.
View our general income guidelines based on household size.
Credit: In addition to a minimum of 620 credit score, established credit is required and must be proven, including 3-4 accounts with a at least a 12 month good payment history. We accept accounts reported to the credit bureau OR non-traditional credit sources, such as rent, utilities, loans, and other expenses.
Debts, such as collections and charge-offs, must not exceed $2000 at the time of application. If approved, applicants must agree to resolve those debts 90 days before closing.
Bankruptcies must have re-established credit history, including a minimum of 3 accounts with 12 months or more on time payments.
Savings: Applicants must be able to save up to 1% of the home purchase price plus $1,000, depending on specific lender or grant funding requirements. This value is subject to change based on application season.
For example, a home with a value of $275,000 will require closing costs of $2,750 to be saved and provided by the homeowner.
Donation Guidelines
We are happy to offer fast, free local pickup for items too large to drop off in-store!
Schedule your donation pickup today by calling 615-690-8094 or filling out our online form.
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We accept appliances less than 5 years old, and in good, working condition.
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We accept new window blinds without pull cords for opening. We do not accept used or vertical blinds
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We accept new wood products in uncut/unused condition, new nails, screws, fasteners in unused condition. We do not accept used building materials.
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We accept new cabinet kits and cabinets in good condition with all doors, drawers, and shelving attached. Check out our Deconstruction Program for free cabinet removal and pickup.
We do not accept cabinet doors or faces.
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We do not accept carpet or padding.
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Based on space availability, we accept the following doors: raised panel interior doors, exterior/patio doors, dual pane sliding glass doors (wood or vinyl framed), architectural or antique doors, steel commercial/fire doors/security doors. We do not accept: slab or flat panel doors (closet or interior), 8-foot doors, or commercial doors.
We do not accept closet doors.
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We accept new switches, sockets, etc. We do not accept any used electrical products.
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We accept televisions at discretion of staff. We do not accept computers, monitors, stereos, or telephones.
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We accept rust-free chain link fence, tube steel and wire. We will accept wood or iron fencing in good condition. We do not accept any rusted or damaged fencing.
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We accept laminate flooring in original packaging and quantities larger than 100 sq.ft., vinyl flooring in new condition larger than 100 sq.ft., and hardwood flooring. We do not accept used or unpackaged laminate flooring.
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We accept wood furniture including desks, tables, chairs, etc. and upholstered furniture in new or like-new condition. We do not accept any furniture with stains or damages.
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We accept plants in containers, new sprinkler systems, blocks, bricks, edgers and pavers. Please note these items are drop-off only.
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We accept lighting in new or good condition based on space availability. We do not accept fluorescent light bulbs and fixtures.
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We accept new molding in clean, uncut condition. We do not accept used molding.
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We accept low-flow toilets, bathtubs in new or good condition, clawfoot tubs, shower stalls, shower pans, and kitchen or bathroom sinks in good condition. We will accept pipes/plumbing supplies in new condition only.
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We accept wall tiles in original packaging, floor tiles in original packaging and quantities over 100 sq.ft., architectural or glass tile, and glass bricks. We do not accept opened or used packages of tile.
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We accept hand tools and power tools in good working condition. We do not accept battery tools.
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We accept dual pane vinyl or wood framed windows, architectural or antique windows, screens in new/excellent condition, and shutters in new/excellent condition. We do not accept single pane or metal-framed windows.